BANGKOK, 23 January 2013 The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) is hopeful that there will be a significant number of voters who show up to exercise their rights at the upcoming Bangkok gubernatorial election.
BMA Permanent Secretary Ninnart Chalitanon said on Tuesday that at least 70% of voters are expected at the March 3 poll across the capital. The voter turnout prediction was based on the statistics recorded during the latest general election in July 2011.
Mrs. Ninnart stated that such a record can be achieved if all related parties, including the BMA’s PR office, the Election Commission and all candidates, work hard enough to encourage Bangkok voters to visit the polling booths.
She added that Dusit and Khlong Toei districts are likely to see the relatively-low voter turnouts like always, because of the frequent mobility of residents in both areas.
The BMA Permanent Secretary also brushed aside worries about the fact that the election will take place on the same day that Grade-12 students are scheduled to take General Aptitude Test (GAT) and Professional Aptitude Test (PAT) for their university entrance examination.
Even though around 6,000 of these students are eligible voters, Mrs. Ninnart said that this number remains very small when compared with the 6-million eligible voters in the capital.
In addition, she urged all who will not be able to cast their votes on March 3 to contact their respective district offices to make an advance ballot or make-up ballot, which is permissible 7 days before or after the election day.
